The animation and gaming industry has once again got recognition from the Central Government. In Budget 2015, finance minister Arun Jaitley has once again given a boost to the industry by stating that ‘for the northeast states, there will be a film, animation and gaming centre in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and an apprenticeship for women in Uttarakhand and Haryana.’
Earlier in 2014, there were talks of setting up a National Centre for Excellence in Animation, Gaming and Special effects as well. There was no update on its status this time though by the finance minister.
It is very encouraging to see that the government treats the animation, VFX, gaming and comic industry as one worth mentioning in the budget and one that needs to be given the push to become better.
AnimationXpress.com spoke to executives from the industry to know how this move would be beneficial to the sector and whether it will help in bettering the ecosystem.
Excerpts:-
Rama Krishna Polina, VP, Asifa India
This is a very good step, but very late. I was expecting that they will open an institute like NID, as we have lots of institute for films and animation. But I am happy that they have decided to open it in North East as they have lots of potential but less opportunity. We have established film industry/institutes in north, south and even Kolkata but nothing in that area, so I believe this will help to get well-versed with this industry and pursue career in the same. Even I have been working very closely with NSDC media and entertainment and help them with curricular and standardisation of this industry.
Biren Ghose, country head – Technicolor India and president – ABAI
Animation needs talent, technology and infrastructure. It feeds on an interdependent ecosystem. It needs to be hubbed in a mainstream location where the digital artist and technician can inspire and be inspired by the environment. I welcome the announcement and we will help do everything to help the government make realise this venture. Ernst & Young are already commissioned by us to find a private partner for a digital media city in Bengaluru. It’s great to hear the initiative from the government. I’m sure they will consult the industry in devising a future ready package. Arunachal Pradesh does not have the talent catchment as of today but it can be a skill development centre.
Ankur Bhasin, CEO, Bhasinsoft Studios
This is a very good initiative. We come across a lot of good and talented people from the north east. They have a strong sense of art. Good to see animation being mentioned in the budget. The policy mention means that we are acknowledged as an industry and that the government is seeing this as a key area for employment. This gives us encouragement to go back to the government and put forward the next set of skills.
Ban Casper Mawlong, director of Meghalaya movie ‘U Syiem’
The North East is still far behind as compared to other states in animation, film and gaming. It will definitely help a lot of us considering the amount of untapped talent pool here. But if animation, film and gaming institutes spread out widely over the seven states then I think it’ll be more productive and also competitive at the same time.
Nishith Takia, President, Bioscopwala
We need qualified students, those who are industry ready when they are done with their courses, so any effort from government’s side in terms of educating them, something like we have IIT and IIM for engineering and management, similarly NID for designers, it’s very useful but whether North East is the best location for putting up this institute I am not really sure and qualified enough to comment on that. But there are existing problems and issues pertaining to this industry which need to be sorted out first. I was really hoping that they will address that as well, plus they have increased the service tax from 12.3 per cent to 14 per cent and everybody in the animation industry is going to be effected by that. Companies are anyway making zero money and we get no support from the government at all, and to have this increment in service tax at this point is going to add to the misery.
There is an existing population of talent in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai where the industry exists today. They could have constructed institutes in these places. We do have good talent from North East but it since its becomes difficult for them to travel to other cities, that could be one of the reasons for opening an institute there. The government needs to ask us first what we want from them. We need to save this industry, otherwise it will be just a one sided effort and won’t benefit anybody as people will graduate but won’t get good jobs. Primarily goal should be to save this industry.
Rajiv Vaishnav, VP, NASSCOM
I think this is a very encouraging step in the right direction. The North East is an area where there is a lot of talent available, a lot of human resource available who have creative minds. The environment there is right for the creative industry and therefore, this is a very important step. I am personally very happy with the announcement and looking forward to this so we have a focused ecosystem.
Rajesh Rao, Founder/CEO, Dhruva Interactive
North East as an area has been a big source of talent for the gaming industry. It is a great move. The people there don’t have to travel too far away to learn the basics now. We at Dhruva have a good proportion of creative people from the region. People there have a very good orientation with the Western pop culture. They are very creative and have a higher exposure western art and culture than an average Joe and when you combine them, it is very good for our industry.
Manish Agarwal, CEO, Reliance Digital
It’s a great step in the right direction as paucity of skilled work force in gaming is the biggest challenge for Indian gaming companies. We would love to have gaming and animation courses offered in every university so that we can truly become the leading nation in bringing out gaming IPs.